shelter care services

Shelter Care ServicesShelter Care Services

Certification Standards for Shelter Care Services, Rule Sections

2960.0510 to 2960.0530

Presenters Presenters

• Kathy Jefferson Children’s Mental Health Division MN Dept of Human Services 651-215-6019

• Deborah Beske Brown Children’s Safety and Permanency MN Dept of Human Services 651-296-4309

Shelter CertificationShelter Certification

Previously Rule• Was part of

standards for RTC. (Rule 5)

• Required assessment and evaluation

New Rule• Available as a

program certification

• 2960.0020 Subp 70 new definition is a program that offers short, time-limited services

Shelter CertificationShelter Certification

• Must meet standards of rule sections 2960.0010 to 2960.0120.

• Does not need to comply to Group Residential standards, rule parts 2960.0130 to 2960.0230.

Shelter: Additional ServicesShelter: Additional Services

Rule section 2960.0520

A. Assessments

B. Basic Health Screening

C. Discharge

D. Immediate Needs

E. Staff Ratio

F. Use of Restrictive Procedures


A. Assessments

• Assess the resident’s vulnerabilities to maltreatment and develop plan to reduce risk

• Assess the resident’s situation, condition and immediate needs and develop a plan to meet basic needs.

Basic Services - 2960.0080Basic Services - 2960.0080

• Basic Services (2960.0050) must have stated objectives and be measurable.

• License holders who do not provide basic services, must coordinate and ensure the services are provided by the placement agency or in the community.

• Cooperation.


B. Basic Health Screening

• Same requirements as previous rule

• Health screening within 24

• Does not mean a physical


C. Discharge • When the child has been in the shelter for

more than 10 days the shelter helps with the transition plan, and required in discharge planning in 2960.0190.

• Document compliance with treatment plan.

• This is not a new requirement.


D. Immediate Needs Plan

• This is not a new requirement

• Suggest providing a copy of this plan to the placing-agency


E. Staff Ratio: Same as current rule for RTC, change for other programs offering shelter bedDay time:

1 staff to three children under age 61 staff to four children ages 6 to 81 staff to six children ages 9 to 111 staff to eight children ages 12 to 18

Night staff 1 staff to seven children under age 9

1 staff to twelve children ages 9 to older

Gender Specific staffChildren with special medical needs


Use of Restrictive Procedures

• Need Certification for Use

• See rule section 2960.0710

Length of Stay - 2960.0530Length of Stay - 2960.0530

30 Days• Review required to

look at the child’s need to remain in shelter and consider alternatives

• Written summary of review in file and sent to placing agency

90 Days• Variance required for

child to remain in shelter passed 90 days

Questions?Questions?

• Can a shelter facility continue to offer assessment and evaluation services?– Yes with Mental Health Certification

• Could a unit have both a shelter and another certification?– Yes

• Can a facility be have both a Shelter and detention certification? – Facilities will need to make a choice.

shelter care services

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